Calling Potato Growers - Opinion Please?

[chellybobs]

Hi all, can I please get the opinion of experienced spud growers on these please? Efficiency/Usage/Crop Size/Cost?
I have got plans for all my plot areas but I have masses of patio room so these seem a good idea. Any thoughts?

Victoria Style Potato Barrel with Free Potatoes- £25.99 Free Delivery

Many thanks in advance
Chelle

[BarleySugar]

I thought about these last year, and didn't go ahead with them, this is the thread of peoples' opinions then,
http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...els_13305.html

[Sweepster]

I thought about these last year, and didn't go ahead with them, this is the thread of peoples' opinions then,
http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...els_13305.html

Very useful thread, that. And it ends in a scrap, which is always a bonus

I've got my excess spuds in various large pots, though last year I also used old compost bags which did fine (though I made some drainage holes in the sides and the spuds grew shoots through them, oops)

[SlugLobber]

Looks very expensive, to me! Most of the nicer varieties of spuds are out of stock. I'd use old large plant pots (I got lots of 40L tubs) and go the traditional route. It also would put me off that they have some bizarre spelling mistakes on their website, but I am a spelling snob. Desrie???

[tattieman]

They are expensive ways of growing spuds. Just buy some bags of compost cut them in half and plant the potatoes in them. Add a few drainage holes to them ant the job is done.

[Crundy]

I bought some potato planter bags last year (3 for a tenner I think) which worked great and will last for years.

[nilling]

I use flower pots from Tescos - 2 per pot. This year I have also planted a couple of rows in the soil that was once the lawn lol

[Lazgaot]

£26 for a container to grow spuds is too expensive. I'm using old compost bags rescued from a garden centre!

[Maddie106]

I've used florists buckets as containers with success and this year have planted up an old plastic dustbin with drainage holes drilled in the bottom. My partner had 2 to collect rainwater from the garage, which I replaced with a cheap water butt from Wilkos. The other has produced some BRILLIANT forced rhubarb!

My problem is VARIETY of spud to use. I keep trying different ones, but so far haven't found one that I really like! They either have no flavour or collapse when steamed, or both!!
Anyone got any suggestions for next year please?

So far I've tried Catriona, Foremost, universal kidney, Magic red, swift and kestral.
This year I've got Sharpes exress and Bonnie Dundee on the go.

[tattieman]

Charlotte are great in containers and so are Maris peer.

[Mi Jardín]

I have a couple of of the pop up gardening bags from Poundland...I just piereced the bottom a few times, they seem to be doing just fine. You don't need to spend that much, its not worth it.

[Alice]

Charlotte are great in a bucket. And no I wouldn't pay that kind of money for a container. A bucket or poly bag is fine.
I think we had this discussion before, but I found bigger containers (dustbin) produced less for compost used and space occupied than smaller containers.
Might go back to that experiment.

[Iamhanuman]

i think you've had a comprehensive list of replies there!!
i am in no way an experienced potato grower but I know there have been plenty of threads here in the past and more recently about avoiding expensive potato planting kits, etc.
i bought rubble sacks from b&q £2.50 for 10 and folded them down, punched holes in the bottom and hey presto, instant pototo planters, but all the other ways can work just as well or better
take your pick Chelly!

[Crundy]

Or keep piling old tires up on top of each other as you earth them up. That also uses some non-biodegradeable waste for a good pupose.
Make sure you scrub them out first though!

[Iamhanuman]

i've never seen that old tyres thing - would like to see some pics!